עת לבגוד

by Reza Kahlili, רזא כהלילי (Author's Hebrew Name), אורי רדלר (Translator)

"עת לבגוד" הוא סיפורו האמיתי של המרגל החשוב ביותר של ארצות הברית באיראן. רזא כהלילי, איש משמרות המהפכה, היה האיש האחרון שהייתם יכולים לדמיין במרכזו של מותחן ריגול עוצר נשימה. ובכל זאת, האיש הרגיש, החרד לגורל משפחתו, הפך לסוכן ריגול נועז, שניהל חיים כפולים במשך עשור שלם בלב המאפליה של המהפכה האסלאמית.

סיפורו המרתק של כהלילי, שהפך לרב מכר וזכה בפרס הספר הלאומי האמריקני, הוא עלילת ריגול מסעירה של עצב ותקווה, אהבה, בגידה ומוות. האיש שביקש להציל את ארצו מציפורני הח'ומייניזם פוער בפני הקוראים צוהר ייחודי, מבעית ומרתק אל האופן שבו פועל משטר דיקטטורי מרושע, אל הרעלת המוחות השיטתית של חסידיו ואל הדרך שבה נגזלה חירותו של העם האיראני.

רזא כהלילי עדיין חי. הוא מתגורר אי שם בארה"ב וחי עם משפחתו תחת זהות בדויה. הוא ממשיך לקרוא גם היום להפלת שלטון האייתוללות.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Middle East, Iran, Politics, Espionage

365 pages, ebook

First published April 6, 2010

Reviews

[Sassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an Iranian-American who was born after the revolution but has had chances to visit Iran several times for significant periods of time, I find Mr. Kahlili's book to be both breathtaking and a testament to the horrors and pain inflicting upon the Iranian people to people like my grandfather to my little cousin. Reza Kahlili exemplifies his story as a young man attending USC to becoming a Revolutionary Guards member once the Revolution hit Iran in 1979. Mr. Kahlili allows the reader to understand how good and secular people were washed up into the fervor of the Islamic Revolution in 1979' and how such a madman such as the Ayatollah Khomeini was able to lie and brainwash a people with such a rich culture and ancient history.

Mr. Kahlili's book is wrote in a manner that both the simple reader can easily comprehend along with an elegant prose that the more extensive reader can quickly get through. His story is more of a human story that not only details his spying days, but of his relationships with his family members and friends since childhood that both contributed to both the revolutionary fervor that was able to sweep him up during the revolution along with the values and ideals that his parents and grandparents taught him that allowed him to say "enough is enough, it's a time to betray" in joining the CIA for the sole purpose of helping Iran become free from tyrannical tyrants.

"It's very important to understand this mentality of martyrdom and radical conviction. They truly believe that one day Islam will conquer the world. If we allow the Guards to go unchecked, the consequences could be devastating for the region - and the world."

This quote comes from Mr. Kahlili's book and I think highlights the situation so well with Iran. The Iranian regime is a regime that has occupied and sent Iran back into the stone ages for the past 32+ years in a process I uniquely term "de-evolution". This is a regime that does not think in "this world" but rather makes decisions based on prophecy and world ending messianic beliefs. They go so far as to rape virgins before executing them so that they "don't go to heaven". This is a barbaric and primitive regime that has occupied the once great nation of Iran and the entire international community must understand that negotiating is not an option with these madmen. This regime will not be happy and will not rest until the "return of the hidden imam" and will do everything to facilitate this end-of-the-world prophecy including starting wars and allowing millions of Iranians to die for their fanatical beliefs. The international community must stand by the side of the Iranian people in overthrowing this barbaric regime. It is the right thing and necessary thing to do for not only insuring that Iranians have the opportunities to live in dignity, peace, and freedom but the international community will get rid of itself of a barbaric and dangerous regime that endangers world peace with their nuclear activities and ambitions.

[Raya راية · Rating 5 out of 5]

"وطن الطائر الجريح الملوّث جناحه بالدم
وطن الزهرة المتفتّحة المُغطاة بالدم
وطن سهول الشهداء والنور
وطن الدم من الرأس حتى إصبع القدم
وطن الأغنية الحبيسة
وطن القصيدة المُخرّبة"
- كلمات أغنية فارسية

نقرأ في هذا الكتاب قصة شخص يدعى رضا كاهليلي، رأى وطنه يُخنق بسلطة الملالي، كان شاهداً على رحيل الشاه محمد رضا بهولي وكان الأمل يملؤه هو وشعبه بأن يحقق آية الله الخميني وعوده ببناء إيران حرّة وديمقراطية.

لكن ما حدث كان العكس تماماً، القمع والقتل والسجن والتعذيب والاغتيال والكذب. رأى أصدقاءه يُعذّبون ويُعدمون لا لشيء سوى لمعارضتهم النظام السياسي!
فتيات مراهقات يُغتَصبن قبل إعدامهن حتى يذهبن إلى الجحيم رأساً! هذا ما كان يؤمن به النظام الجديد!

حاول رضا أن يفعل شيء لأجل وطنه، ذهب لأمريكا وأصبح جاسوساً لصالح الولايات المتحدة، في محاولة لإنقاذ إيران.

حياة مزدوجة صعبة تملؤها المخاوف والشكوك والعذاب.
كتاب يستحق أن يُقرأ.

[هادی امینی · Rating 4 out of 5]

خیلی خوب بود. هم داستان جذابی داشت، هم تاریخ معاصر انقلاب رو به خوبی روایت کرده بود و جنبه جامعه شناسی قضیه رو خوب تحلیل کرده بود.
ادعا شده که کتاب بر اساس واقعیت نوشته شده، نمیدونم ولی برای من به اندازه کافی واقعی بود، چون می‌دونم این اتفاقات در ایران افتاده.

[مُحمد عبدالوهاب صالح · Rating 5 out of 5]

لطالما كانت جمهورية إيران واحدة من أكثرِ دول العالم غموضاً ، لا يُعلم عنها الكثير خاصة بعد الثورة وسقوط نظام الشاه.
رضا كاهليلي بطل القصة الذي يروي سيرته ، يكشف الستار عن فظائع نظام الملالي بقيادة "الخميني" ، "رضا كاهليلي" العضو البارز في الحرس الثوري هو نفسه ولي العميل لصالح وكالة الاستخبارات الأمريكية ، لا أحد يختار طوعاً أن يكون جاسوسا ضد وطنه إلا إذا وصل لقناعة مفادها انه مهما كان سوء من يعملُ معهم لن يكون أسوأ ممن يحكمون بلاده الان.
رضا الذي دعم وساند الثورة هو وأصدقائه ، لم يتخيلوا في أسوأ كوابيسهم أن يتسلقها أولئك المتطرفون المتعصبون بقيادة *الخميني" الذي تنكر لكل شعارات الحرية والديموقراطية التي رفعها ، ويحكم الدولة بالحديد والنار ، ويرمي الثوار أنفسهم في المعتقلات وينالوا قسطاً كبيراً من القمع والتنكيل والارهاب بل وصل به الامر للاعدامات والاغتصاب لأتفه الاسباب ، جرائم لا يمكن أن يفعلها من رفع الاسلام شعاراً وإسماً له.
ما يحكيه الكاتب والخزلان الذي شعر به الايرانيين بعد الثورة لم اجد له وصفاً أبلغ من وصف الشاعر أمل دنقل عندما قالت:
ﻻ ﺗﺤﻠﻤﻮﺍ ﺑﻌﺎﻟﻢاً ﺳﻌﻴﺪ
ﻓﺨﻠﻒ ﻛُﻞ ﻗﻴﺼﺮٍ ﻳﻤﻮﺕ : ﻗﻴﺼﺮُ ﺟﺪﻳﺪ !
ﻭﺧﻠﻒ ﻛﻞ ﺛﺎﺋﺮاً ﻳﻤﻮﺕ : ﺃﺣﺰﺍﻥ ﺑﻼ ﺟﺪﻭﻯ ..
ﻭﺩﻣﻌﺔ ﺳﺪﻯ !!
لعن الله سارقي الثورات ، وقاتلي الاحلام ، ومنافقي الشعارات !!

[Ahmed Hussein Shaheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

من الجميل القراءة لأشخاص عاشوا ضمن دول لا نعرف شيئًا عنها كإيران
هذا الكتاب عبارة عن مذكرات لشخص إيراني أصبح عميلًا لوكالة المخابرات المركزية الأمريكية نتيجة الفظائع التي شهدها خلال فترة حكم "الملالي" على حد تعبيره

في الحقيقة الكتاب ممتع وفيه العديد من المعلومات التي قد تغيب عن تصورنا كعرب

تعرف على الكتاب من خلال تطبيق ستوريتل. والكتاب من سهل جدًا استماعه عبر التطبيق على الرغم من مدته التي تتجاوز ال 13 ساعة بقليل

[Doreen Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to read. Run and don't wait to read it. It will change you forever.

[Veeral · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reza Kahlili (not his real name) of the Revolutionary Guards became a spy for the CIA when Iran came under the thumb of Ayatollah Khomeini. This is his story.

I read this book primarily because I wanted to know more about the events that occurred before and under Ayatollah Khomeini. As far as that was concerned, the book didn't disappoint.

Kahlili writes very clearly about the events that eventually toppled the Shah and thus made Khomeini the unchallenged leader of Iran. And while people were not totally happy under the Shah, they were at least content as they had some little liberties in their private lives which they cherished. Ayatollah Khomeini changed all that. As USSR became a totalitarian state under the guise of Communism, Iran became a police state under the pretense of religious fanaticism. Iran's rulers interpreted their religion as per their convenience.

After his childhood friend was tortured and shot by the fanatical regime, Kahlili became disillusioned by the Iran government’s promise to build a proper state for its citizens. As a result, he became a CIA spy operating in Iran. I think he took this step more out of obligation to his dead friend, although he states in his book that by being a spy he wanted to let the US know what was happening in Iran which would eventually convince the USA to pressurize the Khomeini regime to mend its ways which would bring peace to his country. If he truly believed that, he was being naïve. And he actually admits that himself in the concluding chapters of the book. International politics has never worked that way. Never has, never will.

His spying didn’t improve the conditions in Iran which he hoped might happen due to the intervention of outside world (Nobody intervened, as anybody might have guessed right from the start even without the benefit of hindsight), but at least Kahlili could have the personal satisfaction that he hurt the repressive regime in some indirect ways which took away his friend and everybody else’s personal freedom in Iran.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story of a man who lived a double-life, and the stress that doing so placed on him and his family. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the country that Iran has become since their "revolution" in the late 70s / early 80s. Filled with insights from a man who was not only there, but was a first-hand witness to some of these events by virtue of his membership in the "Revolutionary Guard". At the same time, he was a paid agent of the CIA, reporting everything he saw or heard at great risk to himself and his family. It is a true human tragedy, what has become of the people of this once, very westernized and progressive country. More so when we realize how close to returning to some semblance of normalcy Iran was in 2009, during their protests. A small amount of help from the U.S. Government would quickly have tipped the scales in favor of those seeking freedom. Unfortunately, the leader of our government was apparently too busy with his perpetual re-election campaign to give any help to them. Opportunity missed.

As far as the book itself is concerned, the only problem I had with it were a couple of very strong "coincidences" that worked perfectly in the author's favor. I am not suggesting that they did not occur... I just wonder, given the nature of the subject matter, how much is being witheld. It may be that the sequences did not happen as portrayed, but that they worked better they way they were presented, for a book. Particularly suspicious in my mind were the sequence of events around the death of "Reza's" friend and Commander.

[Dwayne Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Espionage is complicated. There are split emotions and thoughts. This is the story of an Iranian Guardsman who, seeing the devastation and terror brought forth by the mullahs, seeks out the CIA and provides invaluable information to them in the hope that the U.S. will help bring freedom to Iran.

[Ramon Remires · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy stories of intelligence and espionage combined with real testimonies, and therefore, Sometimes even in the wee hours of the night, I find myself sitting in front of history programs on television and finding it difficult to part from them.

Among other things, I enjoy reading or hearing stories about clandestine and dangerous activity in countries where the chances of success are low, and I expect that the writer will find it necessary to create a happy ending for his story, yet, most times it doesn't come to it.

This book is an excellent example of that. It's the story of an officer in the Revolutionary Guards in Iran who became a spy in the service of the United States.

The book describes the life story of Raza and through his personal story also tells the story of Iran from the time of the Shah to the present day. Through this story, we learn how Iran has evolved from being a liberal and progressive state to a state that is today witness to the day-to-day conduct of the field.

 For the most part, this is not a history book by definition. It is a document of human testimony composed of several circles that harmonize together. A history that is closely related to the analysis of the implications of Iran's changes to the world, stories about family relationships, relations of friendship, and how things that are independent of us can influence and transform our lives from one end to the next.

It is a story that shows how our personal history, values, family, friendships and tragedies influence and sometimes define our actions.

 It is incredible to read so vividly and modestly how one person can influence and contribute to changes that affect the whole world - thanks to the courage to do the right thing despite the danger.

 highly recommend.

[Zek · Rating 5 out of 5]

זהו אחד הספרים המרתקים והמרשימים ביותר שקראתי לאחרונה. מאחר שהכותב אינו מזוהה בשמו האמיתי, לכאורה לא ניתן לאמת את סיפורו אבל ממה שאנחנו יודעים על משטר האייטולות ועל הכרונולוגיה ההיסטורית מאז ועד היום, אין סיבה אמיתית לפקפק בחלק ניכר ממה שמתואר שם. זהו ספר מתח לכל דבר כאשר ברקע ניתנים הסברים לתהליכים שעברו על איראן בעת שלטונו של השאה ואת הסיבות שחוללו את המהפיכה האיסלמית בהובלתו של האייטולה חומייני. המספר עצמו הצטרף בהתלהבות למשמרות המהפיכה אולם די מהר התפכח וראה שהעם האיראני נפל מהפח אל הפחת וכל הבטחותיו של חומייני לחיים טובים וחופש התנדפו כלא היו. וכך מצא את עצמו מרגל עבור ארה״ב בתקווה שהמידע שיעביר יציל את עמו משלטון החושך.. בדרך כלל כאשר קוראים ספר ביוגרפי (במקרה זה אוטוביוגרפי) אנו קוראים על מה שהיה בעבר אולם לצערי הרב הקריאה בספר הזה, על אף שמתבססת על אירועי העבר הקרוב, מלמדת אותנו שהסיפור של משטר האייטולות אקטואלי ומסוכן לעולם החופשי יותר מתמיד. זהו ספר מחמיר לב, מעורר מחשבה וטורד מנוחה ואין לי ספק שלאחר קריאתו אני מבין טוב יותר מדוע נתניהו כל כך אובססיבי לנושא האיראני. לדעתי הספר הזה תרם לי ידע ותובנות יותר מכל תכניות הטלביזיה שראיתי עד כה אשר עסקו במשטר האייטולות האיראני. אני גם חושב שזה ספר חובה לכל אדם שוחר חופש ובעיקר לכל אזרח ישראלי. הספר גם אמור להזכיר להרבה אנשים ששכחו את חשיבותו של חופש הביטוי, באיזו קלות ומהירות דבר שלכאורה כה מובן מאליו יכול להילקח מאיתנו, שלא להזכיר דברים נוראים בהרבה המתוארים בספר.

[Yogeeswar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides much needed insight into the minds of a 'Radical Islamist' and their policies for running a nation. The author was a Spy, an Iranian, whose story can easily be a blockbuster Hollywood movie. Awesome book from the hands of a insider in Radical Islamist regime.

[Mohamad Al-blozi · Rating 1 out of 5]

بعد قراءة اكثر من نصف الكتاب صرت على ثقة أن هذا الكتاب بلا شك هو كتاب مزور وملفق وهو جزء من البروبوغندا الامريكية ليس إلا وذلك لأسباب منها.

١- كل الاسماء والاشخاص هي اسماء وهمية ومخترعة من الكاتب كما سبق وصرح والاستثناءات هي شخصيات مشهورة فقط.

٢- كثير من الافكار هي مقتبسة بالحرف من كتاب كتبوا عن ايران مثل قكزة ان الشيعة يعتقدون ان العذراء تدخل الجنة ولذلك كان الايرانيون يغاصبون الفتيات قبل الاعدام وهذه الفكرة هي غير صحيحة لان الشيعة لا يعتقدون بان العذراء تدخل الجنة لانها عذراء والذين اوردوا هذه الفكرة في كتبهم اوردوها لتكون خطاب ديماغوجي لاستعطاف البسطاء من الناس ثم ينقلها المؤلف الوهمي بالحرف.

٣- كل ما ورد في الكتاب من معلومات وافكار وادعاءات هي معلومات عادية لا سرية او خطورة فيها يتحصل عليها المرأ من ويكيبيديا.

٤- اغفال حوادث مهمة وامور كثيرة حدثت وشخصيات لم تكن لتمر على شخص عاش الواقعة مثل قصة صادق قطب زادة و شريعتمداري.

٥- القول بان بني صدر كان مرشحاً بصفته ليبرالي يعارض سلطة الامام الخميني لذلك اختاره الناس في الحقيقة ان الامام هو الذي اختار بني صدر ولمح للناس ليختاروه.

٦- يقول المؤلف الوهمي ان نسبة اصوات بني صدر كانت ٨٠٪ في حين ان النسبة كانت حوالي ال٧٥٪ وهذا الرقم لايمكن ان ينساه شخص عارف بالموضوع او يسقط سهواً.

٧- يذهب رجل مجهول الهوية للولايات المتحدة والتي حسب الكاتب لم يكن فيها احد يعرف عن ايران ولا الخميني ولا حتى الحرس الثوري وكانوا يظنون انه يتحدث عن الجيش الاحمر السوفيتي وطبعاً كان الذين يكلمهم مسؤولين كبار وليس مجرد باعة فيخبرهم انه يريد مساعدتهم لتحرير بلده، فتقوم امريكا بتحريك كل اجهزتها وقواتها لتحقيق هدف شخص مجهول الهوية طبعاً الحدث بعد حادثة السفارة الامريكية والرهائن.

٨- يستدل على العقيدة المهدوية بالحديث الذي ينقله على لسان صديقه بان المهدي اسمه اسمي واسم ابيه اسم ابي، في حين هذا الحديث من طرف اهل السنة ولا يعتقد به الشيعة فهم يعتقدون بان المهدي هو محمد ابن الحسن وليس محمد ابن عبد الله وهذا دليل واضح على ان الكتاب ليس لكاتب شيعي ناهيك عن كونه في الحرس الثوري.

٩- يمكن لأي شخص مهتم بالشؤون الايرانية بشكل كبير كتابة كتاب اكثر قيمة من هذا في حين انه يفترض ان الكاتب ذو منصب كبير في الحرس الثوري فالغريب ان يأخذ مهلوماته من ويكيبيديا.

١٠- الكتاب عبارة عن تكرار نفس الاحداث باستمرار دون دليل عليها وهو ببساطة لا يمكن التأكد من اي شيء في الكتاب الا الامور الرئيسية مثل سقوط الشاه وغيرها لأن كل الاسماء ملفقة والاحداث مبهمة.

١١- الكلام واضح انه مجرد خيال ليس بالخصب حتى فالامور والاقوال كلها متوقعة وكانها قصة من قصص الاطفال وليست حياة لجاسوس يفترض انه من اخطر الجواسيس في عصره.

١٢- شخص ذو منصب كبير في الحرس الثوري يترك الحرس ويذهب للحياة في امريكا دون ان يعرف النظام حتى من هو ولذلك يغير اسمه لكي لا يعرفه النظام الايراني لكنه لا يخفي كونه ترك الحرس وانتقل لامريكا.. كم من ضباط الحرس الثوري يا ترى يعيشون في امريكا حتى لا يعوف النظام الايراني شخص ذو منصب رفيع ذهب لها.

١٣- الباسيج هي فرقة متطوعين مدربين وتشمل عدد كبير من البشر واغلبهم من اصحاب الحرف والوظائف وليس مجموعة اطفال دون ال١٣ كما يزعم المؤلف الوهمي وانما هذه النقطة بالذات هي عملية دغدغة المشاعر الامريكية كحوادث النساء المذكورة.


في النهاية هذا الكتاب بلا شك كتاب غير صحيح ولايمكن تصديق ان عميل سري ذو منصب رفيع قد يكتب كتاب بهذه السطحية وخالي من اي قيمة وانما يعتمد على الخطاب الديماغوجي في الترويج للافكار وجلب الاستعطاف يورد الكثير من المغالطات والمعلومات المغلوطة التي يمكن للمدقق ان يكتب كتيب من ١٠٠ صفحة بها ولا يسع المجال لذكرها.

التقييم : ١/٥


Mohamad al-blozi

[Alireza Ramezani]

I've been having this dual feeling as to write a review for this book or not. Does writing a review for this book adds up to its validity or undermines its contents by a fair meticulously massaged review. I think taking action has always been better than being passive.
This book, is written by a traitor about humanity, and freedom. How to carry the burden of this paradox on you while reading through the pages is something one has to experience himself. In the begging, the author tries to grab your sympathy by describing the good old childhood days he had with his best friends using it to prove the savageness of the people whom he betrayed them. He didn't betray those people though, he betrayed the country, the people and what he describes as "higher goods".
The sequence and severity of the happenings are a little hard to believe they have actually happened and the author has witnessed them, however one cannot reject all of them. In the best scenario I accept that this book is a historical novel than a true story. It becomes too irritating at some points bringing this up that it tries to relate western delusion to cruel Iranian regime by ANY MEANS.
Talking about positive points, this book is filled with moments that provide you with bursts of strong feelings which may make you cry or smile widely at some points.
To some up, I recommend reading this book to everyone who is interested in Iran's contemporary history.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was prepared for this one to be much better than it actually is. Part of me has a hard time believing the story; after all, this could be a great bit of disinformation put in our ken to ward off asking tough questions of our intelligence services, yes? The author goes into some detail to describe how he protects his family and colleagues by use false names, but uses the real names of his Iranian sources. Well, I would think it odd to use dialog for a colleague and a source and hope that the source never stumbles across himself in Kahlili's nook - just one problem. And while the details make for interesting reading, they stop well short of being explosive. I guess I should reading anything where the author begins by asking the reader/listener to buy into his pseudo-reality.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Memoir is my least favorite genre. I dislike first-person narrative in any form - fiction, non-fiction, or poetry.
That said, I found this book to be readable, interesting, and straightforward. All the bona fides are in place and the necessary disclaimers stated. The story is outstanding.
It is remarkable to read about the extreme stress of living the great paradox: betraying one's country to save it.
Well done.

[نزار شهاب الدين · Rating 1 out of 5]

Aside from the fact that it is hard to believe a spy - a professional liar (since we simply signed an unspoken pact of trust with him the moment we purchased the book), the author's motivation for spying, and other actions were simply ridiculous and he volunteers to highlight such ridicule by grave contradictions.

First, he says he's chosen to spy for the CIA so that America would save his country from its regime, something some would believe; but when he's offered a salary, instead of rejecting it defiantly and with hurt dignity, he just accepts. Just like that. But to be honest, he did say that money was not his motivation when he was offered the first bonus payment, that's before accepting it on the CIA agent's encouraging words, "Take it, it's yours, you deserve it." Oh, and he didn't it say it out loud, it was an inner dialogue but the clever agent felt his struggle that he couldn't express with a single dignified word (after all, who knows how those agents take such words? She might have apologized, taken back the money, and thanked him for his free work to save his country. But we, the good readers, wouldn't do so, would we? No, we trust an honest spy working for the Iranian government's guards on one side and the CIA on the other, for a pay.)

Now, what about those who though that the idea of seeking help from the US to bring democracy was a stale joke in the first place - those who know its black history of supporting tyrants, imperialism, and unchangeable own interest-driven policies? Like who? Well, like the author himself. At one point he admits that the "foreign policy of the US 'sent mixed signals'" (now that's one good romantic expression.) Yet, while many people made the conclusion that the US will not really scramble to set things right in Iran, our good spy made a different one which nothing could shake, not covert negotiations and support at least.

I can go on like this listing situations where the author blandly shows his disrespect for the reader's intelligence.

There other nice coincidences as well to entertain. The guard who was suspicious about the author dies on their trip to the front right after the author finds out that he started digging. The other guard, the author's boss, whom he finally confronted of his despise for the regime, gets assassinated by an anti government group, while driving his car with the author riding beside him. Luckily, the author, who works for the same establishment, walks out of this unscathed, although the car stopped and the motorcycle-riding assassins could have just walked to him and shot him there. Phew! That was close.
And no, the author didn't wonder for a second about this, so I guess this means we shouldn't either.



An important point to ponder is that the author is a Shiite Muslim as almost all Iranians. Shiites changed a lot in the original Islamic beliefs and are considered non-Muslims by original Muslim scholars (it's hard to have faith in a religion that speaks of a human being trapped in a tunnel for hundreds of years and built on the foundation that he will return.) The author mentions several of such horrific and bloody beliefs (like raping female prisoners before executing them to prevent them from going to heaven) but it should be understood that this is not Islam. While he keeps saying that this is not true Islam, he means only fanaticism, which is wrong in all religions. But at the same time, he attempts to twist some righteous beliefs, like martyrdom, which is respected even aside from religion, for one's country for instance, to show it as brainwash.

All in all, I found the book to be far from believable and more of a CIA propaganda against Iran, although the foundations for Iran's atrocities are there, but it is hard to discern the truth from the lies with the above contradictions and irrationalities so stark.

Note:
For the audiobook, the narration was fine. The narrator used a heavy accent to impersonate the character and seemed to be a Persian speaker as well.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

In movies spies have a debonair confidence that belies the risk. In real life, as told by the person called Reza, it is nerve wracking, grinding, compromising, difficult work.

Through Reza's life we can get a picture of pre and post revolutionary Iran. Reza and his childhood friend Naser were "haves". Besides having free time and access to cars, Reza was able to study computer science in the US. Reza and Naser led primarily secular lives and their other friend, Kazem, was from a poor family, influenced by Islamic fundamentalism, and had to work while the other boys played. Naser was among the first to be tortured and killed. Kazem became a willing, and very naïve soldier for the revolution.

Reza shows the huge "bait and switch" of the Ayatollah Khomeini's early rhetoric and his rule. Iranian students in the US were inspired by his calls for freedom and for using oil revenues for electricity and basic services. As the revolutionary government became lethal, Kazem, a true believer, rose and with him his western educated computer knowledgeable childhood friend.

Reza tells how he sought out access to the CIA and how he obtained and communicated significant information. Almost as soon as the Khomeini's regime banned women's hair from public viewing, it began supporting terrorism around the world. (So much for spending the oil revenues for the public good.)

Over many years Reza, at great risk to his family and himself, worked with the CIA. He reported links to the Beirut Marine Barracks bombing along with names, weapons and troop movements, and terrorism plans. What did the US do with this information? It was hard to tell other than one instance of checking for weapons on flights to Saudi Arabia such that a major incident was avoided. I cannot imagine how Reza felt, after all he had risked, to learn that President Reagan sent envoys to Iran not to avenge the Beirut bombing, but to sell arms to the mullahs in order to arm the Contras in Nicaragua.

You see how the revolutionary government drained its opposition. Its initial round ups were for any of those who spotted the disconnect between the rhetoric and the action. Later, anyone who might stray from their strict interpretation of Islam could be shot. One of Reza's most emotional stories involved attending a stoning, which his "mentor" Kazem made a point of attending in order to see "justice" done.

Not only is this an important story to be told. It is a page turner. I read in 2 sittings because I was so involved and wanted to see the author get out of his dangerous situation.

[Ali Agh · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a thriller novel, putting aside an impulse to fact-check the author's numerous claims in his stories, the book is startling.
He tells how life in Iran was in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution, how Iranians were fighting in 3 completely different battlefields: the Iran-Iraq war, terrorist activities of Mujahedin, and dealing with the radical shifts in the implementation of religion.

Meanwhile, we hear the story of 3 best childhood friends growing up with different ideologies. The ideologies which caused them to drift apart along different paths. Causing one to face torture and execution, another who was a devoted Revolutionist to be assassinated, and the author himself who became an asset to the CIA.

Nevertheless, for criticizing the book, not as a novel, I think it's clear that the author was an audacious young man who did what he did mainly out of emotional reactions to some wicked crimes committed by radicals who had been unleashed after the Revolution.
But as an educated person studied in America, he should have had a better reason to betray his nation at war with Iraq, which has the full support of America and in the meantime was raining thousand of ballistic missiles and chemical weapons at civil regions. He even at some point wondered why does the U.S. still support Sadam after he had told the CIA about the usage of chemical weapons by the Iraq army! Another indicator of naivetes of the young man back then.

Besides, solving the problems the Revolution had spawned, by spying for the nation responsible for the overthrow of democratically elected Mosadegh, installing a puppet regime which its removal was the aim of all young men back then, including the author himself, is pointless enough to not think about this option while contemplating to take actions out of patriotisms.

Finally, he confessed later that his actions were futile and didn't have the slightest impact on bringing justice.

But I think this is the book every person who wants to understand how Iran became Iran today and the confusing era after Revolution, should read this fascinating book.

[Pritesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good read ! It is a page turner. The author beautifully captures the relationships, culture and the environment he grew up in Teheran. The book is a memoir rather then a spy thriller. There is a lot of focus on the tensions the authors spying creates with his family , his sense of guilt and describing the life of normal Iranians under the Ayatollah. He talks about the information he shared with the CIA but does not go into much detail on how he collects that information. There are a few moments of suspense & thrill , some clandestine meetings but not many details on his spying activities . I think some of it is driven by his desire to protect the people who are still in Iran as well as his handlers in the CIA.

As with most memoirs, facts and perspectives get skewed. The authors message is that the radical Islamic State in Iran is responsible for perpetrating unimaginable atrocities against the people of Iran as well as funding radical activities in other countries in the Middle East. I don’t know how true his descriptions are but the happenings in modern day Iraq and Syria seem to mirror his descriptions of Iran in 1980. There is definitely an element of embellishment and a decent amount of hearsay. I have a hard time believing that he could get authoritative information on Iran's nuclear program or that the program existed at all. By his own admission he was not very high up in the Revolutionary Guard totem pole. I have always been fascinated by the Middle East. It is the cradle of civilization. It is sad to see how long that entire region has been mired in conflicts of every kind.

Overall I like the book. Its a well written perspective of one man. It also resonates with the current times. We have our own mini-Khomeini going in Trump :)

[Nathaniel Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, thought it was well written, and gave it five stars. A timely read (early 2020) as the people of Iran are dealing with some of the same issues today the author detailed when he wrote this book in 2010. Many Iranians want freedom from the Islamic religious zealots/mullahs.

[Esther Bradley-detally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a hard book to read, and i have read a goodly amount about Evin prison, and a man who was Persian born, and a hostage, along with the other American hostage, but the extra one, asked me to write his book. I was too knew of a writer to do so. He has since passed.

Most people know there are 7 Baha'is in Evin right now, and much has been written of them. In fact the journalist who was freed writes about them also in her book. This book was hard, because the suffering was immense, the brutality so real, and his mission so gripping and I as a reader was always worried for his safety.

the hand of fate will simply visit those who torture others, and we in this generation cannot know when or how, and it isn't with vengeance I comment so; it's just that nothing we do goes unknown in a higher dimension.

I think the book it a must in that it gives tremendous insights into the suffering of the ordinary citizens of Iran and yet the heroic acts of some. My heart goes out to all who suffer.

[Karen C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a page-turner, hard to put down, nicely written, great balance between personal and work life; you get a real sense of this man's anguish between his love for his country and his fear of betrayal. I have to say that I had a hard time understanding his fear of disloyalty and unfaithfulness. The way I see it as an outsider is that his country has been stolen. There is no Iran of yesterday; it has been hijacked. His fight was and is to create a free Iran, for his people and by his people. Sadly, while people continue to need oil as they do oxygen, it will not be won back any time soon. The West will continue to appease the mullahs, with one eye on the oil and one eye on God. But may God bless the author for trying. I admire him with the utmost love and respect. He is a true hero in every sense of the word.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It started slow for me. I didn't understand there was great significance to his childhood stories until I got farther in the book. So don't yawn your way through that part. There is relevance. This book was an eye opener to me and brought me to have sympathy for an enslaved people who I didn't know lived under such horrible atrocities. I think I thought Iranians liked Sharia and they stayed because they wanted to. I had no idea the people live under such tyranny and were not free. Thank you Reza for bringing this information to light. I no longer associate that evil, misguided dictator, Ahmadinnejhad, with the people of Iran. They are clearly not the same. I also understand a little more history on the difference to an Arab vs a Persian. I can see why if you are Persian, why you don't want to be lumped in with these Arab fanaticals and extremists that run the government.

[Jennifer Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a must read!!Highly highly recommended!!
This is one of my 'One night stands' like this book kept me awake all the night to the next day!And the result was a very tired but ultimately triumphant me,as I read the boo literary in one sitting!!This book was THAT good:)
It is a tale of Reza Kaheli,a double agent who worked for both Iran and CIA!Due to 1979 coup/revolution and US embassy hostage crisis in the aftermath,CIA didnt have boots on the ground' of course,so the author was one of the very very few American spy on Iranian soil!The danger was real and stakes were very high for him!What a brave man!
The story is like super fast paced,I couldn't put the book downyou won't either!Even these days he lives in anonymity and does interviews without showing his face time to time,the danger on his life being very real!
5 stars

[Patrick Belair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another one of my thrift store finds,The title being enough to reel me in (plus the price was right),I was pleasantly surprised on what a good read this was.Mr Kahlili gives the reader his back ground growing up in Iran during the time of the Shah.

He tells of his early life growing up in Tehran in a very close knit family, his relationship with his close friends, his Grandparents and parents.Revolution comes and everything changes.He works for the Goverment and one of his friends is murdered and he makes a fateful choice to spy for the U.S.The next years are filled with info passed on to CIA and his thoughts of betraying his country, and the truth as to what was actually happening .If you get a chance pick it up I think you will enjoy.

[Nic Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What an insightful and really sad tale of Iran from the almost "carefree" days under the Shah to the lies and deceit of Ayatollah Khomeini ......the associated murderous and tyrannical rule over the years that followed.........the death of so many close to the author and his decision to become a "jasoos" (a traitor!) by working for the CIA in an effort to bring about change in Iran.
Considered weak by his own family for remaining part of the "new" order to be close to valuable sources of intelligence the author showed remarkable bravery in "spying" in the most difficult conditions.
A highly recommended read for those interested in how the changes in power in Iran many years ago have made life for Iranians a living hell still to this day!

[Jill Tabatabaei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book evoked a lot of the same feelings I felt when I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. It was very eye opening and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it. My only criticism of the book is that it included a lot of political facts. Some were crucial to the story and others could have been left out. Sometimes I felt like just as I was getting totally immersed in the story, the author would spend 3 pages giving political facts. I know that understanding the politics helps paint the big picture, but I think the story could have stood on it's own well enough without all the facts that he included. Overall I liked the book and would recommend it.

[Chris · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the story of Iranian man in the Revolutionary Guards who becomes a CIA agent during the 1980's. I enjoyed the first few chapters, which discussed what life was like during the reign of the Shah, the rise in popularity of the Ayatollah Khomeini, and how daily life changed after he took over the country. I didn't enjoy the actual "spy" part of the book as much. The author spoke quite a bit about his inner turmoil of leading a double life and having to lie to his family and betray his friends.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated this book so highly, not because of its literary qualities but because of its content. Rarely do we get to hear the story from the "other side" of the relationship between an intelligence service and its agent. Khalili's is a voice that deserves to be heard. The truths he shares about the people who today hold Iran and its creative, wonderful people in thrall should be required reading for all Americans.